VIDEO: The Importance of Active Living

Life in many ways is like carting a wheelbarrow across a lawn. The farther you go, the heavier and more debris filled it becomes. And like your body, you need to maintain that wheelbarrow to keep it working as long as you need it.


(Watch: Chris Moffett as he shares the importance of staying active later in life.)

More and more studies show that sedentary lives lead to obesity, diabetes and numerous other health problems as we age. On their own, these are all great reasons to keep active. But there's also a link between staying active and maintaining a healthy mind. A natural side effect of aging is the decline in cognitive abilities. Cardiovascular fitness has been shown to slow the decline and even regenerate brain cells.

Chris Moffett, a certified personal trainer and older adult fitness specialist, helps seniors build a program for staying active. Whether it's attending a fitness class, going for a walk or creating a home routine with objects found around the house, Moffett stresses the importance of the four pillars of exercise: cardio, strength training, flexibility and balance.



Four Pillars of Exercise

1. Cardio – You need to keep your heart and lungs strong so that your daily activities don't tire you out easily.

2. Strength Training – Stronger muscles mean stronger bones which helps prevent osteoporosis.

3. Flexibility – Activities that use range of motion become challenging as we age, it's important to keep our muscles loose.

4. Balance – Things that challenge your balance should be employed in your day to day activities.

What are some of the activities you do to stay active? Share your tips and stories in the comments section.

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